Forgiveness

I’ve seen this topic all over my social media pages following the tear-jerking and beautiful sentiments of Erika Kirk. If you didn't know, the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service took place on Sunday, September 21st, with many prominent figures who gave what can only be described as sermons - praise Jesus! There were worship leaders, pastors, baptism, and prayer. I can only imagine the energy in the stadium as tens of thousands of believers piled in and called on the Holy Spirit. I wish I could have been there myself, but alas, we live in the digital age where it still felt like I was. Anyway, I personally believe that the most remarkable feature of the service was Erika Kirk’s statement of forgiveness for the person who assassinated her husband, the father of her kids, and the mentor to all who assembled in the stadium or joined in online. The impression that the Kirk family has left on the world will hopefully last for generations to come. Through their platform, they have shown us directly what it looks like to follow Christ, even on the darkest days of our lives.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32. To be a part of the body of Christ means inherently to be forgiven and redeemed. If we choose to live in bitter hate and unforgiveness, does this conclude that we ourselves are better or wiser than Jesus Christ? On the cross, Jesus took our punishment; we deserve the cross, we deserve hell, but instead we get grace. Through the grace we were gifted so freely and so lovingly, it’s our job and a part of our design to give other people grace, too. Let God stand in judgment; that is not our job. If your grace could show even one person a characteristic of our King, isn’t it worth it?

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” – Mark 11:25. According to this passage, our forgiveness from the Father is dependent on the unforgiveness in our own hearts. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven” – Luke 6:37. When we forgive, it’s not just for the other person’s feelings. It’s for our own salvation, too. Forgiveness, like every other command we receive from God, comes with a freedom that will ultimately make our lives better.

I really pray for anybody living with the weight and burden of unforgiveness. There are many crosses we have to bear, but that is not one of them. It’s not to say that we have to forget the trespasses against us. Forgiveness without forgetfulness makes us wiser people. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23. If someone mistreats us, forgiveness doesn’t have to come with enduring the treatment. Remembering what someone did to us is different from not forgiving them for it. Forgiveness can mean that you have distance from people who wronged you, but still pray for their salvation and for good in their lives.